Ralston Room Film Screenings -- Next Four Thursdays

by Pat Dover on 2017-04-11T15:51:16-05:00

Over the next four weeks, on Thursday evenings, join film curator Cari Reynolds in the Ralston Room on the 2nd Floor of duPont Library to view iconic films accompanied by the rich audio of the Ralston Room sound equipment.

All films start at 7 p.m. and all are free and open to the public.

April 13 Ghost World

Based on an underground comic, Ghost World has been described as "dark, deadpan comedy about alienated kids that manages to be smart, surpassingly odd, extremely funny and mysteriously endearing at the same time." The soundtrack includes a diverse range of musicians including The Buzzcocks, Memphis Minnie, and Ashford and Simpson. This film is rated R for strong language and some sexual content. The screening is FREE and open to the public!

“Part warm comedy, part bleak tragedy, part hallucinatory vision”, this film is based on a collection of short stories of the same name written by Larry Brown. Set in rural Mississippi and documenting a few days in the life of a struggling alcoholic writer and Vietnam Vet, it is a film with arresting imagery, dark humor, and (ultimately) grace. The excellent soundtrack includes music by Tom Waits, the Kronos Quartet, Steve Earle, and R. L. Burnside among others.

When this film was first released, one critic described it as having “all the fun and gaiety of a burning orphanage”. Thankfully, over the years it has developed cult classic status and many rabid fans. Many films and filmmakers (such as Wes Anderson) have been heavily influenced by it. Cat Stevens provides the gorgeous soundtrack. It is quirky. It is darkly funny. It is sweet and it is powerful. Seeing it is a matter of life and death.